First sexually-transmitted Zika virus case confirmed in the US

The first sexually-transmitted Zika virus case has been confirmed in Texas by The US government’s Centres for Disease Control (CDC). The patient contracted it from a partner who travelled to an area affected by Zika ,Venezuela to be precise.

This is coming several hours after The World Health Organisation declared Zika a global health emergency due to its spread around the Americas.

About Zika Virus

Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.

In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes.